The cold night air rushed past Raelyn as Maisie galloped beneath her, the mare's steady pace a stark contrast to the turmoil in Raelyn's mind. Her fingers clenched the reins tightly, her knuckles aching with the effort. Rakz perched on her shoulder, his small claws gripping her robe as his golden eyes darted warily into the darkness. Behind them, the glow of Ardesco's flames faded into the distance, swallowed by the night.

The horses thundered down the narrow path, hooves striking the earth in a relentless rhythm. Hovan rode at the front, his broad silhouette cutting through the shadows, ever watchful for any sign of danger. Corix rode slightly behind him, his posture tense and his face lined with exhaustion.

The world around them was eerily silent except for the pounding of hooves and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Raelyn's thoughts swirled in an endless loop—Keardath's orders, the faces of the fallen magi, the chaos and carnage they'd left behind. The locket beneath her robes felt heavier than ever, its presence a constant reminder of why they had to flee.

The pale light of dawn began to creep through the trees, painting the clearing in soft hues of gray and green. Hovan raised a hand, signaling a stop. The group slowed their horses, the steady rhythm of hooves fading into silence. Dismounting in a secluded grove, they took stock of their surroundings. The air was cool and damp, carrying the earthy scent of dew-soaked grass and the faint rustle of leaves in the wind.

"We'll rest here," Hovan said, his voice low but firm. His sharp gaze swept the area, lingering on the shadowed edges of the clearing. "The horses need a break, and so do we."

Raelyn slid off Maisie, wincing as her feet hit the ground. Her legs trembled, aching from the long night of riding. Her fingers throbbed as she released the reins, but she managed a small, absentminded pat on Maisie's neck. "Thank you," she whispered to the mare, her voice soft and hoarse. Maisie's ears flicked in response, her breath coming in steady, visible puffs in the cool morning air. Raelyn placed Rakz on the ground to roam free after the long and bumpy ride.

Corix sat heavily on a fallen log, his expression drawn. From his satchel, he retrieved a small piece of parchment, a quill, and a vial of ink. His movements were brisk, almost methodical, as though the act of writing would tether his thoughts and keep them from unraveling.

Raelyn watched him in silence for a moment before her curiosity got the better of her. "What's that for?" she asked, her voice breaking the stillness.

Corix didn't look up as he replied, "The High Council of Magi." His hand moved deftly, the quill scratching across the parchment with elegant precision.

Raelyn frowned, stepping closer. "What's the High Council?"

Corix paused, the quill hovering midair. He glanced at her, his sharp features softening slightly as he answered. "The High Council of Magi is the governing body of all of Kaiswen. They are the oldest, wisest, and most powerful magi in the realm. It's their duty to oversee magical practices, maintain order, and protect the kingdom."

Hovan, who had been tending to his horse nearby, spoke up. "They're also Kaiswen strongest warriors," he said, his voice tinged with a note of respect. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his posture as solid as a fortress. "The Council is Kaiswen's last line of defense. If anyone can rally the magi and fight back against the demons, it's them."

"They sound..." Raelyn hesitated, searching for the right word. "Unstoppable."

"They are," Corix said quietly, returning his attention to his letter. "But even they can't fight what they don't see coming. They need to know what happened at Ardesco. They need to prepare for what's coming."

Raelyn frowned, the weight of her thoughts pressing against her chest. "If they're so powerful, why didn't they stop Bromaric from falling? Why didn't they intervene when the demons were taking over?"

Corix's quill stilled in his hand, his sharp features tightening as he lifted his gaze to meet hers. His eyes held a weight that made her stomach churn. "Because their priority has always been Kaiswen. The High Council doesn't act lightly, Raelyn. They are the guardians of this land. To risk exposing Kaiswen to the horrors of Bromaric would've been to gamble with everything they swore to protect."

"So... they did nothing?" Raelyn's voice was quieter now, tinged with disbelief.

Corix let out a low sigh, his expression weary. "It wasn't an easy choice. They saw Bromaric's fall as tragic but inevitable. By staying out of it, they believed they were ensuring Kaiswen's safety. And for a time, that strategy worked. But now..." He gestured vaguely to the horizon, toward where Ardesco still smoldered in the distance.

"It's come back to bite them," Hovan said, his tone grim. He leaned against a nearby tree, arms crossed. "The demons are stronger, bolder, and they've had time to build their numbers. Bromaric isn't just a cursed wasteland anymore. It's their stronghold. And even the High Council can't face them alone now."

Raelyn's throat tightened. "So they stayed safe while the people of Bromaric suffered. And now it's too late?"

"It's not too late," Corix said firmly, his voice cutting through her rising despair. "But the fight will be harder, bloodier, and it will cost more than it ever would have if they'd acted sooner. That's why the locket is so important. It's why you're important. The High Council can hold the line, but Unevia needs more than brute force to survive this. It needs answers. It needs something... bigger."

Raelyn's fingers brushed against the locket beneath her robes. Its faint warmth grounded her, but the weight of it felt heavier now, laden with expectations she wasn't sure she could meet.

"And you think the locket is the answer?" she asked softly.

"I don't think," Corix said, his voice unwavering. "I know."

Raelyn watched as Corix carefully folded the letter and tucked it into his satchel. "You're sending it to them?"

"Yes," Corix replied. "When we reach Honeygrove, I'll send it by raven. It'll get to Skartuun faster than we ever could."

Raelyn's brow furrowed in confusion. "But... aren't we going to Skartuun? Shouldn't we find them ourselves? They could protect us."

Corix shook his head, his expression darkening. "No. Keardath ordered us to avoid the obvious route. The demons will assume we're heading to Skartuun. They'll be watching the main roads, waiting for us to appear. We can't risk it."

Raelyn's confusion deepened. "Then where are we going?"

"Anderwyn," Corix said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Raelyn blinked, startled. "The elves?" She glanced between Hovan and Corix. "Why? Shouldn't we stay and fight? Or... or—"

"Because this isn't just about survival," Corix interrupted, his voice sharp and steady. He rose from the log, brushing off his robes. "Do you really think you're ready to fight demons, Raelyn? That you can hold your own in a battle like this?"

Raelyn opened her mouth to respond but closed it again. She looked down at her hands, her fingers still raw from gripping the reins.

Corix softened his tone, though his gaze remained piercing. "You've taken the first step. You found your medial. But that's only the beginning. You don't just need to survive, Raelyn—you need to learn. The locket you carry isn't some trinket. It's tied to ancient magic, to forces far older than anything I could teach you. The elves understand these forces. Their magic is rooted in the natural world, in the elements themselves. If anyone can help you unlock the locket's potential, it's them."

He paused, his eyes narrowing as though envisioning the journey ahead. "The elves are scholars as much as they are warriors. If there's any place that might hold knowledge about the locket, or the weapon of the gods, it's with them. Their archives could guide us to what we seek."

Raelyn's brow furrowed as she processed his words. The thought of ancient libraries filled with secrets about the locket sent a flicker of hope through her, though it was quickly dampened by the daunting scale of their task. "You think the elves might have answers?"

Corix nodded firmly. "If anyone does, it's them. But reaching them will be no easy feat, Raelyn. The road ahead is long, and the danger is far from over."

Raelyn hesitated, her hand instinctively reaching for the locket beneath her robes. Its faint warmth brushed against her fingers, a reminder of its constant presence. "But... why me? Why now?"

"Because we don't have time to wait," Corix said, his voice firm but not unkind. "The demons aren't going to stop. Whatever broke the barrier, whatever allowed them into Kaiswen—it's not just a one-time event. This could be the beginning of something far worse. And that locket may be the only thing that can stop it."

Raelyn's chest tightened. She glanced at Hovan, hoping for reassurance.

The knight stepped forward, his brown eyes steady and unwavering. "He's right," Hovan said. "We can't afford to waste time. You're the key, Raelyn. Whether you feel ready or not, this journey is about more than just you. It's about Unevia."

Raelyn looked between them, her stomach churning with doubt. The thought of relying on an entirely new form of magic, of leaving behind everything she'd ever known, was overwhelming. But she nodded, forcing herself to meet their eyes. "I'll try," she said softly.